Recruiting: Michigan Wolverines commits move in new Rivals250

August 21, 2013

St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Michael Ferns / Courtesy photo

By Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

There are two aspects to following the football recruiting process which are most exciting. First and foremost is seeing the new talent, but secondly is seeing where those prospects rank and how each school’s recruiting class compares to the national scene, particularly against rival programs.

Rivals.com released a new edition of its top 250 prospects early this week, and Michigan commits within that range experienced a bit of movement. The number of future Wolverines in the Rivals250 remains five, but only one of those players occupies the same national rank he did at this time last week.

Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback and wide receiver Jabrill Peppers remains the No. 2 prospect in the nation. The five-star recruit is behind only Woodbridge (Va.) defensive end Da’Shawn Hand, who is considering U-M.

Grand Rapids Christian wide receiver Drake Harris and Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake offensive lineman Mason Cole both slid a bit, down five spots and four, respectively. Neither did anything wrong in the summer evaluation period, but both were passed by a couple other prospects. Harris is now the No. 62 player in the country, and Cole is No. 122.

Salt Lake City Highland defensive tackle Bryan Mone moved up ever so slightly. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder moved up from No. 181 to 180, thanks to a thorough review of his film (and a few prospects around him losing a bit of ground). He is still a four-star prospect.

The only player who experienced a significant tumble was St. Clairsville (Ohio) linebacker Michael Ferns. Although he was every bit as big and physical as expected at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour in June, his lack of speed was drawn into a contrast by the top athletes, and then he pulled up with a hamstring injury early in the second day. He is still a four-star prospect.

Although the top 250 players in the nation are set, a couple other U-M prospects have a chance to gain in the rankings. Hinsdale (Ill.) Central tight end Ian Bunting is currently a three-star prospect, but is hoping to earn a place among the four-stars when players who missed the Rivals250 are unveiled today.

Tim Sullivan is the Football Recruiting Editor of The Wolverine magazine and TheWolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the Rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @TimS_Wolverine.